Why did Highguard lay off most staff?

Rapid layoffs at Wildlight after Highguard’s launch

Wildlight Entertainment confirmed that a large portion of its development team was let go only weeks after Highguard’s release. Reports from former employees described widespread cuts, with multiple sources saying “most of the team” were affected. The studio has stated it will retain a smaller core group to continue supporting the game.

How this unfolded

• Highguard launched shortly after a high‑profile reveal at The Game Awards and a December showcase; early public reaction to the trailer and the game’s live‑service launch was mixed.
• Within a few weeks of release, multiple developers posted about layoffs on social channels. Wildlight issued a confirmation that it had parted ways with an unspecified number of staff.

Why it matters

Layoffs this close to launch underline the financial and reputational pressures surrounding free‑to‑play multiplayer releases. For players, sudden team reductions can mean slower bug fixes, delayed content updates, and uncertainty about long‑term support. For employees and industry watchers, the case highlights the fragility of studios that depend on rapid player growth and monetization to sustain ongoing operations.

What’s next

The game is not necessarily dead: Wildlight says a core team remains to maintain Highguard. Still, the scale and timing of the cuts have already generated discussion about launch expectations for live‑service titles, the risks of aggressive release schedules tied to big events, and how studios manage community expectations when a title underperforms.